A satellite communication network, with an investment of 200 million yuan (US$24.1 million) from the China Telecom Group, is being built in Southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, dubbed as the "roof of the world".

The project was one of the facilities planned at the fourth meeting of the central Chinese government for boosting development in Tibet held in June 2001, said local sources.

The satellite communication network requires the construction of 15 major stations, including the central station based in Lhasa, the regional capital, and a large number of base stations. The network will cover more than 1,000 townships (or towns), vital transportation routes and scenic sites in Tibet.

So far, an accumulative fund of 65 million yuan (US$7.83 million) has been spent on the infrastructure for the network which began construction in March this year. Construction of three major stations, and 54 minor base stations in the cities of Lhasa, Nagqu, Ngari, Qamdo and Shannan is finished. Telephone service is now available in these places.

Building of the remaining 12 major stations, as well as installation and debugging of equipment at 260 town or township base stations will be completed within this year, and the entire project will be finished by next year.

Until now, telephone service was still unavailable in most parts of Tibet. The satellite communication network will enormously improve the telecommunications conditions in its rural and pastoral areas and will also serve as a reliable social guarantee for a faster economic development in the plateau region.